North Carolina Lake Management Society
Helpful Resources
We support citizen science! Please use the resources below to help us better manage our precious water resources. Fish Kill & Algal Bloom Report Dashboard Visit the dashboard to find more information on reported algal blooms statewide and to report a bloom or fish kill. The goal of NC Stream Watch is to host observations and images of North Carolina's beautiful water resources for community members to see the diversity of waterways from different parts of the state. NC Stream Watch is a program intended for educational purposes only. Are you looking for a local stewardship opportunity? Do you enjoy picking up trash or water quality monitoring? If so, you should join NC Stream Watch! NC DWR Sanitary Sewer Overflow Report App The app highlights the most recent spills which have occurred in the last 7 days through a graduated blue dot based on estimated volume. Other points indicate where all other reported SSOs have occurred throughout the year (rolling calendar year). Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Programs
Coastal Carolina University Waccamaw Watershed Academy Water Quality Monitoring Program Volunteer monitoring is conducted twice a month year-round by local, trained volunteers using environmental testing equipment to sample selected sites.
https://raleighnc.gov/stormwater/services/stormwater-volunteering/stream-monitoring Use the Raleigh Stream Watch dashboard to see what streams volunteers are monitoring. You can also see the water quality data they've collected. As a stream monitor, you'll learn more about Raleigh's waterways and collect data on the overall health/quality of a stream. We monitor stream health too.
https://mountaintrue.org/waters/monitoring-and-waste-programs/ MountainTrue and our four in-house riverkeepers have ongoing water monitoring projects and encourage local residents and communities to be involved in monitoring the health of our shared waterways.
Sound Rivers is a nonprofit organization that guards the health of the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico river basins. We work with concerned citizens to monitor, protect and preserve these watersheds that cover nearly one-quarter of North Carolina.
Carolina Wetlands Association Pilot Wetland Monitoring Program This volunteer-based monitoring program leverages the outcomes of 15 years of wetland monitoring experience to establish the proc
https://hawriver.org/volunteer/ The Haw River Watch Project, sponsored by the Haw River Assembly, gives us a clearer picture of the health of the Haw River by determining the type and location of pollution sources. By conducting four seasonal “snapshot” surveys per year, River Watch volunteers document water quality across the tributaries and riverbanks of the Haw. Teams are trained and equipped to monitor water quality through biological, chemical, and visual parameters. Working with the Haw Riverkeeper, volunteers act as guardians of their streams and notify state agencies if water quality is threatened.
https://www.ljea.org/volunteer-opportunities/volunteer-ljea/ An important element in assessing the overall health of a watershed is to analyze the chemical characteristics of the water. The chemical makeup of the water, and therefore its quality, affects aquatic life, human health, and the economy, among other things. Consequently, water quality and monitoring is a major focus of Lake James Environmental Association.
https://protectourwaters-wnc.org/monitor/ Monitoring the health of our waterways is an essential part of effective stewardship and conservation. WATR teams regularly monitor the tributaries of the Tuckasegee watershed. Join us to protect your watershed!.
The Volunteer Water Information Network (VWIN) is a volunteer-based, surface water monitoring program. Trained volunteers collect approximately 200 stream and lake samples monthly, which are located in the French Broad, Watauga, Catawba, Broad, New, and Little Tennessee River Basins.
https://www.monroenc.org/Departments/Engineering/Stormwater/Public-Involvement The City of Monroe Engineering Department offers three exciting volunteer programs to provide the opportunity for families, local business owners, civic groups, neighborhood organizations, youth groups, churches and academic institutions to be engaged in protecting local water quality. The objectives of these programs are to increase community involvement and awareness of the City’s water resources, promote watershed-based environmental education, increase reporting of water quality problems, and to improve water quality and stream habitats.
Public involvement is an essential component of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services’ (CMSWS) Program. CMSWS recognizes that without public involvement and support, little progress can be made toward protecting and restoring water quality in our streams and lakes. We are thankful for the 4,000+ volunteers that participate every year in our programs.
https://winyahrivers.org/volunteer-connect-with-clean-water/ Volunteers are the lifeblood of Winyah Rivers Alliance and the success of our mission to protect our local rivers and the benefits they provide. Volunteers bring the gift of their time, energy and expertise, connecting our nonprofit with our communities and our local rivers. We offer a number of other opportunities to connect with us.
https://riverlink.org/get-involved/volunteer/ RiverLink focuses on the French Broad River watershed and hosts workdays for stream and river cleanup, as well as invasive plant removal. They also need volunteers for their youth-oriented education and outreach.  https://www.haywoodwaterways.org/ Haywood Waterways Association (HWA) is a nonprofit association dedicated to maintaining and improving the water quality of the Pigeon River. Our focus is reducing non-point pollution in the Pigeon River Watershed. It works toward this goal through a variety of voluntary initiatives. These include educational programs, gathering water resource information, sharing information to increase public awareness, greenway efforts, and obtaining grants and other resources to address nonpoint pollution problems.
https://www.ashevillegreenworks.org Through community-based, volunteer-led environmental conservation projects and education programs, we work together to enhance the environment and quality of life for all residents of Asheville and Buncombe County.
Mountain Valleys Resource Conservation and Defense Council https://www.mountainvalleysrcd.org/ We address the conservation of local resources through hands-on-projects, such as: energy efficiency and renewable energy grants, stream restorations, stormwater and agricultural best management practices, straight pipe elimination, forest fire prevention, and community wildfire preparedness.
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy https://appalachian.org/our-volunteers/ The mission of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy is to conserve the unique plant and animal habitat, clean water, farmland, scenic beauty, and places for all people to enjoy outdoor recreation in the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, enduring for future generations. The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy is committed to creating and supporting equitable, healthy and thriving communities for everyone in our region. |
1. Septic systems should be in code with local ordinances and properly operated and maintained.
· Do not put household grease, cleaners, paint, solvents and pesticides down the drain. Practice water conservation in the home.
· Limit the use of antibacterial cleaning products.
· Pump septic systems at least every three years, more often depending on use.
· Systems with garbage disposals should be pumped annually.
2. Practice good lawn maintenance.
· Limit fertilizing. Use zero-phosphorus fertilizer unless a soil test indicates the need for phosphorus.
· Do not fertilizer within 50 feet of the lake.
· Keep grass clippings, leaves and pet waste out of the lake.
· Reduce or eliminate pesticide use on the lawn and garden.
3. Maintain or establish a shoreline buffer zone of natural vegetation.
· Limit fertilizing in the buffer.
· Shoreline buffers prevent erosion and infiltration of nutrients into the lake.
· Buffers should be a minimum of 30 feet wide.
· Encourage woody vegetation and tall grasses in the buffer to stabilize the shoreline.
· Minimize the disturbance of beneficial aquatic plants along the shoreline since they provide stability and are critical as habitat for fish and other wildlife.
· Slow shoreline runoff with gentle sloping and terraced landscaping.
4. Be a respectful boater.
· Follow local boating regulations and safety rules and respect the rights of others.
· Minimize boat wake near shorelines.
· Properly dispose of trash (or secure it until proper disposal can be achieved).
· For larger boats, always use pump-out facilities for on-board waste disposal.
5. Know and follow your fishery management strategy.
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· Some species of fish may be catch and release.
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· There may be certain sizes of desirable fish that should be removed.
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· Certain species of fish may be undesirable and should be removed.
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· Do not introduce fish from other bodies of water.
6. Prevent the spread of exotic species, such as Hydrilla (an aquatic weed) and zebra mussels.
· Check your boat before and after launching in the water; encourage others at the public access to do the same.
· Lake associations can organize monitoring teams to check for aquatic weeds during the summer or organize monitoring programs at access points.
7. Respect your stormwater since it flows into streams, lakes and groundwater.
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· Make sure only rainwater flows into storm drains.
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· Reseed bare ground so it doesn’t erode.
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· Follow your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SPPP) and have Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs) inspected annually.
8. Work with state and local officials.
· Be part of the basin wide planning process; ensure that state and local ordinances contain protective and rehabilitative management plans for your lake.
· Attend planning and zoning meetings or boards of adjustment to voice concern about development activity that does not meet local ordinances.
· Get to know your county commissioners, share your concerns with them.
9. Become part of the local decision-making process.
· Become involved with your local lake association.
· Become part of the decision-making process for local land use ordinances, serve on the soil and water conservation district board, planning board, or other local government committees and appointed commissions.